Erland Charles Holbrook Jr

1948-2022

Erland C. “Hoss” Holbrook, Jr.,73, of Minot passed away Thursday, February 3,2022 at the Market Square Health Care Center in South Paris. He was born May 3,1948 in Lewiston the son of Erland, Sr. “Sam” and Bertha (Pulkkinen) Holbrook, the 5th of 6 children and grew up in North Auburn.

Hoss worked on the family farm (Holbrook Farms) all his life. He married Martha, the love of his life, on November 16, 1968. They were soon joined by a son, Eric and daughter Christine. Farming was a family affair. Hoss, his wife Martha and brother Steve loved working the earth and experienced the many highs and lows of farming working alongside his parents and many other family members on the farm. Hoss and Steve took over the family farm upon the death of their father in 1993.

Hoss and Steve inherited a deep love of the outdoors from their parents. They both spent many hours following in their father's footsteps hunting, trapping and fishing. They in turn shared that love and knowledge with their children. While the farm lay in hibernation during the winter months, the family spent much of the time beaver trapping, catching live bait & ice fishing.

The other big passion of Hoss's life was stock car auto racing. It was a passion he shared with his brother Steve as well. Hoss and Martha's first date was at Oxford Plains Speedway. They could be found there every Saturday night during race season sitting in turn four cheering on the Rowes and the Bracketts. As their children grew and their nest got empty, they took that love of racing on the road and went to several tracks around the Northeast and Canada. Hoss was especially proud of his nephew Seth and the success Seth saw working as a pit crew member for several different teams.

Hoss is survived by his loving wife Martha (Sennett) Holbrook of Minot, ME; a son Eric Holbrook of Greenville, ME & his wife Dawn; a daughter Christine Holbrook of Minot, ME; grandson Samual Holbrook, & his companion Marissa & his two children Amelia & Zander of Lewiston, ME; a granddaughter Michaela Holbrook of Minot, ME; siblings Elizabeth “Betty” Dufresne, Mae Sennett, and Stephen Holbrook; and countless numbers of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Hoss was predeceased by his parents, Sam and Bertha Holbrook, and two sisters Janice Holbrook and Vesta “Tootie” Sylvester, in November 2021. He was also greatly saddened by the passing of his brother-in-law Thomas Sylvester in August of 2021 as he knew his own health was failing.

A special thank you to Jo-Linn Tibbetts and the staff at Market Square.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Hoss Holbrook to: Turner Rescue, 11 Turner Center Road, Turner, ME 0428

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.thefortingroupauburn.com

Visitation will be held 5-7 pm Friday, February 18th at The Fortin Group, 217 Turner Street, Auburn.

Celebration of Life will be held 11 am Saturday, February 19th at the funeral home. The family is requesting casual dress.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Fortin Group, 217 Turner St., Auburn, ME 04210